There was a time when diesels were considered noisy, smelly, dirty and not very efficient vehicles.
But thanks to advanced technology and innovation in the automotive industry, diesel vehicles have come a long way in the past decade.
Today, diesels are clean, quiet and more efficient than many comparable cars and trucks. Experts say a typical diesel vehicle is 30 per cent more fuel efficient than its gas counterpart. That’s because diesel fuel contains more usable energy than gasoline.
Diesel engines can be more rugged too, and tend to have more torque than similar gas-powered vehicles.
Also read: The pros and cons of diesel vs. gas
While diesels are said to account for less than five per cent of auto sales in North America (compared to about half in Europe), the number of them on our roads is steadily increasing.
More consumers are seeking out newer model diesels that run on a low-sulphur version of the fuel, often referred to as clean diesel.
The selection of diesel-powered cars and trucks is more limited when compared to gas-powered options.
Still, there are a number of choices on the market in Canada from such brands as Chevrolet, Dodge, Mercedes, Audi, BMW and Volkswagen.
Green Car Reports recently released a guide to 2015 and 2016 model-year diesel car and trucks. An example is the 2015 Audi A3 TDI, which features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. There are also upgraded versions including the A6 TDI and A7 TDI, each with a 3.0L turbocharged V-6 with 240 hp and 428 lb-ft.
BMW has a handful of diesels on the market here in B.C., including three sizes of sedan, two sizes of SUVs and a station wagon, according to Green Car Reports.
Fiat Chrysler has released the 2015 Ram EcoDiesel, while General Motors sells the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel.
These are just some of the makes and models available at your local dealerships.
Buyers should be aware that diesel vehicles can be more expensive that their gas-powered equivalents.
The price of diesel can also vary from regular gasoline. What’s more, finding a diesel gas pump can be a challenge, since not all gas stations provide it.
That said, finding a diesel pump is getting easier thanks to technology. There is a growing list of websites and apps on the market today that help diesel vehicles owners track down a fuel station with their blend.
If you’re interested learning more about diesel-powered vehicles, head down to your local auto dealership. You can rest assured that if you do buy or even test-drive a newer model diesel today, you won’t be leaving behind a black cloud or a smell of rotten eggs.
Blair Qualey is the president and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at bqualey@newcardealers.ca.
